Charnele Dawn Jenkins, a 31-year-old resident of Riverton, Wyoming, has been sentenced to just over a year in federal prison and two years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl. Court documents show that Jenkins sold fentanyl pills to an undercover agent with the Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force in Riverton on August 27, 2024. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. Jenkins was indicted on January 15 and entered a guilty plea on May 27. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on August 15 in Cheyenne.
In another case, Jeramie Russel Makinen, age 40 of Evanston, Wyoming, received a sentence of just under four years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Makinen faced charges for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, aiding and abetting in the distribution of fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl. Special Agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) were investigating drug trafficking activity in Sweetwater County when Makinen became a person of interest. Law enforcement observed him selling methamphetamine and fentanyl before he was arrested during a traffic stop conducted by deputies with the Sweetwater Sheriff’s Office (SSO). The investigation involved DCI, SSO, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the case. Makinen was indicted on January 15 and pleaded guilty on April 22; his sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on August 14 in Casper.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government in all litigation involving the United States within the District of Wyoming, including criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law and civil lawsuits involving or brought against the government.
Several programs operate under this office to improve community safety:
The Rocky Mountain Safe Trails Task Force is a joint effort between multiple agencies—including tribal police departments, state and local law enforcement agencies, FBI, DEA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), and DCI—to address violent crime and drug trafficking within Native American communities in the Rocky Mountain region.
Project Safe Childhood is an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at preventing technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children.
Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative designed to counter illegal immigration as well as dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations through collaboration among DOJ resources such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The Victim Witness Program ensures victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion and fairness throughout their involvement with legal proceedings.
To report a federal crime to authorities: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime
